Swiss authorities have located five people who died near the luxury Zermatt resort on Saturday, a press release from local police said.
The discovery came after hikers notified emergency responders that they had seen abandoned skis on the Rimpfischhorn mountain at approximately 4:30 p.m. local time, according to the release issued by Valais Cantonal Police in Sion, Switzerland, on Sunday.
Resources were immediately deployed including a helicopter carrying an emergency doctor, a rescue worker, as well as two rescue specialists, but there was no rescue to be made.
“The lifeless bodies of five people were quickly discovered,” the press release read.
The Context
Zermatt is considered a luxury vacation region as well as a destination for skiing and other outdoor activities, visited by many celebrities.
The region sits along the Alps on the Italian and Swiss border and is home to the famous Matterhorn Mountain, which offers spectacular views and is considered one of the most expensive vacation destinations.
What To Know
The pair who first alerted rescuers found the abandoned skis believed to be from the group at an altitude of nearly two and half miles, the release said.
Two of the deceased were found about 650 feet from the skis that were seen while the others were found even further down, by another 1,600 feet, a recent report from Radio Television Suisse said.
Authorities have not yet made a formal identification of the bodies found on the mountain, nor has there been any report of missing skiers publicized that could indicate who they are.
An investigation has been opened by the local prosecutor’s office “to determine the exact circumstances of this accident,” according to the release.
Just a week ago, two other people died, and five others were rescued from an avalanche about 70 miles northeast of the latest incident in Lauterbrunnen, according to a press release from Bern cantonal police.
In that incident, the two people killed were identified as Swiss citizens who were 21 and 30 years old.
Matterhorn mountain looms above the valley that includes the village of Zermatt on January 7, 2022, near Zermatt, Switzerland, Matterhorn mountain looms above the valley that includes the village of Zermatt on January 7, 2022, near Zermatt, Switzerland, Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images
What People Are Saying
Valais Cantonal Police said in the press release: “An overflight of the area and ground searches have made it possible to locate 5 lifeless bodies on the Adler glacier.”
What Happens Next?
Authorities are still working to make formal identifications of the deceased, according to the police’s press release.
In addition, the nationalities of the deceased were not yet made public by local law enforcement.
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